• Air Warfare

  The 5 most significant air stories of 2022

  30th December 2022

  Several key developments emerged in the air domain in 2022, with major announcement coming toward the end of the year - we collected the five most significant ones.

• Air Warfare

  Northrop Grumman and US Air Force unveil B-21 stealth bomber

  5th December 2022

  The B-21 Raider sixth-generation stealth bomber will form the backbone of future USAF air power, and it is set to deliver capability and flexibility through advanced integration of data, sensors and weapons.

• Land Warfare

  Nioa seizes the initiative with Barrett buyout

  16th January 2023

  Nioa establishes itself as a firearms manufacturer in the US with a takeover of Barrett.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Northrop Grumman counter-UAS architecture impresses in live-fire trials

  25th November 2022

  The US Army live-fire test evaluated the performance of the C-UAS system of systems before operational use.

• Land Warfare

  New data link ties Patriot missile into Integrated Battle Command System

  25th November 2022

  A combination of Northrop Grumman's IBCS and a Lockheed Martin data link contributed towards successful Patriot interception of cruise missile surrogate targets.

• Air Warfare

  Turkish-US F-16 deal remains in deadlock

  17th January 2023

  US lawmakers remain adamant while the F-16 deal seems to be Ankara's best shot to bring its air power capabilities up to speed until it can produce its fight-generation TF-X fighter jet in a meaningful numbers.

• Defence Helicopter

  Northrop Grumman expands knowledge base for UH-60V digital helicopter cockpit

  24th November 2022

  Northrop Grumman will provide UH-60V Black Hawk engineering support services as part of a KBR-led contract awarded by the DoD Information Analysis Center.

• Digital Battlespace

  Northrop Grumman IBCS air and missile defence system complete key test phase

  11th November 2022

  Northrop Grumman's IBCS missile and air defence system for the US Army has completed its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation at White Sands Missile Range.

• Land Warfare

  Qatar continues to enhance counter-UAS capabilities as World Cup continues

  1st December 2022

  As the prevalence of military-grade and militarised COTS UAVs continues to grow, Qatar is set to expand its counter-UAS capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  More E-2D Hawkeye aircraft arrive in Japan

  23rd November 2022

  The US is continuing deliveries of E-2D Hawkeyes and KC-46A tankers to Japan.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Five uncrewed developments that defined the domain in 2022

  27th December 2022

  Perhaps unsurprisingly, some of the most significant developments in the world of uncrewed systems have stemmed from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

• Digital Battlespace

  First Royal Air Force Wedgetail aircraft fitted with MESA surveillance sensor

  7th November 2022

  The first of three Boeing E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft for the Royal Air Force (RAF) has been fitted with its Northrop Grumman MESA main sensor.

• Air Warfare

  US awards missile and radar contracts to boost air defence

  23rd November 2022

  New modifications to existing Department of Defense contracts cover the latest AIM-9X air-to-air missiles and active electronically scanned array radars for the F-16.

• Digital Battlespace

  US Air Force to grow E-11A BACN airborne communications gateway fleet

  9th November 2022

  The United States Air Force (USAF) is expanding its E-11A fleet from three to five after awarding Northrop Grumman a contract to integrate Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) on two additional aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Turkish F-16 endeavours impaired by Democrats' US Senate control

  15th November 2022

  The Turkish president was confident a Republican-controlled Senate would deliver the country's coveted F-16 deal. With a Democratic Senate confirmed after mid-term elections, Ankara's position to up its fighter jet game seems as doubtful as ever.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Range Drones [Norway]

  Programme Background Andøya Ambition On 3 April 2023, the Norwegian MoD released a statement confirming its plans for Andøya, the northernmost island in its Vesterålen archipelago. In addition ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  MQ-4C Triton (Contracted) [Australia]

  Programme Background Three Contracted Units In June 2018, the Government provided Second Pass (Tranche 1) Approval to procure the first of six air vehicles, supporting ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  MQ-4C Triton (Option) [Australia]

  Programme Background Four Contracted Units In the summer of 2020, Northrop Grumman announced that the Australian Government provided $333 million for three MQ-4C Tritons and associated ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  RQ-4 Global Hawk (Japan)

  Programme Background Selection & Contract AwardIn 2015, Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAS and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft were selected by Japan to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) [US]

  Programme Background Aims & Timeline As stated by DARPA, the ANCILLARY programme aims to develop and fly an X-plane that will provide a "leap-ahead" in long-endurance, ...

• Data links

  Data links | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-130J mission equipment will ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-130J mission equipment will ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-130J mission equipment will ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-130J mission equipment will ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

• Data links

  Data links | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) [USA]

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions

  Jackal

  The Jackal is a turbojet loitering munition designed by Northrop Grumman in partnership with AeroVironment.  It features an open architecture that provides the capability to support ...

• Military - UUVs

  Manta Ray

  Manta Ray is an uncrewed underwater vessel (UUV) developed by Northrop Grumman.

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  H-1 Family of Avionics

  Northrop Grumman produces a family of avionics for Bell H-1-series helicopters.

• Air-to-surface missiles

  Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW)

  The Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) is an air-to-ground weapon that will provide strike capability to defeat rapidly relocatable targets as part of an enemy’s anti-access/area denial ...

• R-Bat

  The Rotary Bat (R-Bat) is the rotary-wing member of the Bat family of sUAS. The R-Bat was designed with Yamaha Motor USA and has been ...

• Major networking projects

  IBCS

  The Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) is a C2 system designed to integrate current and future sensors. The system also improves ...

• ISR/special mission, Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Firebird

  Manufactured by Northrop Grumman, the Firebird is a unique platform that features different cockpit configurations. This feature allows the Firebird to be configured as either an uncrewed ...

• Guided munitions

  Viper Strike

  The GBU-44/B Viper Strike is an air-launched precision-guided munition (PGM) equipped with a relatively small-shaped charge warhead. It has been optimised for employment in urban ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  APR-39(V)

  The ARP-39(V) is an RWR system for combat helicopters, low-speed aircraft and fast attack craft. The system comprises two dual-video receivers, four spiral cavity-backed antennas, ...

• Unguided Tank Ammunition

  120mm M1028 Canister

  The 120mm M1028 Canister is an anti-personnel tank round designed by Northrop Grumman for use by the Abrams tank.

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  MK238 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer And Self-Destruct (HEI-T/SD)

  The MK238 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer and Self-Destruct (HEI-T/SD) is a 30mm round developed by Northrop Grumman.

• Air: aerial targets

  Chukar III

  The Chukar III, based on Northrop Grumman’s BQM-74E developed for the USN, is a high subsonic aerial jet target for export customers.

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  XM1182 High Explosive Airburst with Trace (HEAB-T)

  The XM1182 High Explosive Airburst with Trace (HEAB-T) is a high explosive round developed by Northrop Grumman for the US Army.

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  ITAS

  Northrop Grumman is a major producer of tactical information management systems for maritime patrol, ASW, ASuW, SAR and related applications. The Northrop Grumman AN/ASN-150 and ...

• Air: aerial targets

  BQM-74F

  Building on the BQM-74E, the BQM-74F aerial target was developed by Northrop Grumman under a USN contract. Introduced in 2005, it has a new airframe ...